[REFEREES] U.S. Soccer referee Kari Seitz, who has worked at the last four Women's World Cups and last three Olympic Games,
has announced her retirement. Her farewell match will take place on Oct. 20 when she referees the USA-Australia women's match at the Alamodome in San Antonio (TV: NBC, 1:30 p.m. ET).

Seitz, the only referee, man or woman, to officiate in four senior World Cup tournaments, officiated matches in all three women's leagues (WUSA, WPS and NPSL) as well as in MLS.

Seitz,
42, started as a youth referee at the age of 14 and worked her way up through the ranks to the professional and international levels. She became a FIFA referee in 1999.

"Kari has played a
key role in the growth of women's soccer in the United States over the past 15 years, and her dedication to her craft has always been admirable," said U.S. Soccer President Sunil Gulati. "She will always be a role model for young referees and we want to thank her for her tremendous work on behalf of U.S. Soccer and the women's game, both domestically and
internationally."

Seitz is managing director of the worldwide ad agency OMD and based in San Francisco.